After undergoing the worst recession in its history, Austria's economy has been slowly recovering, with an estimated GDP of 1.6% in 2010, which should increase more sharply in 2011. This performance, which places Austria above the forecasts of growth in the European Union, is due to the continuing growth of exports.

The measures taken to cope with the crisis and the recent fiscal reform have deepened the budget deficit. The government has tackled this problem by adopting a consolidation plan. In addition, structural reforms will be necessary.

 

In terms of per capita income, Austria ranks fourth in the European Union. Nevertheless, the recession has lead to a continuous worsening of the labor market and the unemployment rate, although low within the European context, should remain raised in 2011.

Dominating the economy, the tertiary sector contributes around 70% of the GDP and employs two-thirds of the country's active population. Tourism is well developed: nearly 17 million tourists visit Austria annually.

The agricultural sector contributes about 2% of the GDP and employs nearly 6% of the active population. Cattle farming and viticulture are the country's main agricultural activities. Organic agriculture is developing rapidly. It currently represents 10% of the agricultural production. Austria benefits from significant European Union subsidies as provided by the Common Agricultural Policy.

The main industrial sectors are the metalworking industry, electrochemistry and engineering, even though most of the companies in these sectors are relatively small on the international scale. The country has little mineral resources such as iron, lead and copper.

The Austrian economy is heavily dependant on foreign trade which accounts for more than 95% of its GDP. Trade with European Union countries accounts for about 70% of the total trade. Austrian exports suffered significantly from the global crisis, however, with the recovery, the Austrian trade deficit has improved in 2010. This tendency should continue.

With the country being located at the crossroad of East and Western Europe, direct foreign investment has always been important because of Austria's geographic location. After an economic slowdown due to the global crisis, the trend has once again been upward. Austria's strengths are its political stability, its location at the centre of Europe and a skilled work force.